After learning that the unpleasant symptoms you are experiencing may be due to a deficiency in hormones, you have begun wondering how much replacement therapy will cost. This is a concern for many, but it should not be the only concern. In this article, we will address the common deficiencies and find out how you can determine if a deficiency is truly the issue for you.
Common Hormone Deficiencies and Their Symptoms:
Low Testosterone
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common symptom of low testosterone. It feels like you do not have the energy you used to have. Or, you can feel exhausted. Men do not always pay attention to this symptom because it is also a symptom of normal aging.
Low Libido
Testosterone is what maintains your sex drive and your erections. When your testosterone levels drop, one of the effects that you notice is that your sex drive is not as strong as it used to be. This is also the time that some men begin to have trouble obtaining or maintaining an erection.
Muscle Loss
Testosterone is also responsible for building your muscle mass. Therefore, as testosterone levels decrease, muscle mass also decreases. Also, after a workout, you notice that you are not obtaining the results that you attained in the past.
The Average Cost of Testosterone
The average cost of testosterone replacement therapy, or TRT, will vary depending on the method that you choose. You have the option of injections, gels, or pellets, and the cost ranges from $100 to $300 per month.
Estrogen and Progesterone Imbalance
Irregular Periods
A hormonal imbalance is when there is too much or too little of either estrogen or progesterone. One symptom of this imbalance is “irregular periods.” The imbalance may be the cause of medical conditions, such as amenorrhea or missing one or more periods, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS leads to irregular periods, infertility, acn,e and excessive hair growth.
Hot Flashes
Decreasing levels of estrogen cause hot flashes. It is the most common reason that women experience hot flashes, but low progesterone levels also cause this symptom. Progesterone is important in regulating your body temperature, so when it is low, hot flashes can result.
Anxiety or Depression
Research has shown that lower estrogen levels lead to negative moods, such as anxiety and depression. Progesterone levels increase during the menstrual cycle, and these increased levels are related to anxiety and depression.
The Average Cost of Estrogen
Estrogen or combination HRT can cost around $30 to $90 per month if taken orally. Topical creams or patches may cost more. Bioidentical hormone therapy from specialty clinics may range from $100 to $300 monthly.
Thyroid Hormone Deficiency
Constant Tiredness
An underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism is when the body does not produce sufficient levels of the thyroid hormone. When this occurs, it slows your metabolism down, and this causes you to feel tired all of the time.
Cold Sensitivity
As your thyroid hormones decrease, it also lowers your body temperature. This is the case even when you are in a warm location and during the summer months. Sometimes, people complain of cold feet or hands, although the entire body does not feel cold.
Slowed Metabolism
As was mentioned above, a thyroid imbalance results in a slower metabolism. This causes the several symptoms listed above and weight gain.
The Average Cost of Thyroid
Generic options are affordable, often under $20 a month. Brand names or natural alternatives can be more expensive, especially without insurance.
What’s Included in the Cost?
Initial Consultation and Follow-up Blood Tests
At Nexel Medical, you have the option of having a Comprehensive Male Panel that tests several levels, including testosterone, thyroid, and several others. The Comprehensive Female Panel tests estradiol, progesterone, thyroi,d and others.
Your doctor may advise you to have the Initial Male Panel, which tests testosterone and thyroid. For women, you may be advised to have the Initial Female Panel that tests estradiol, progesterone and thyroid. The initial panels include fewer tests than the comprehensive panels.
The cost of TRT varies depending on several factors, including the amount of hormone your doctor prescribes, your lifestyle and your symptoms. The average cost of TRT ranges from $500 to $1,500 per month. Your insurance may pay a portion of these costs.
Consultation Fees
During your initial consultation, you will be able to ask your provider what the costs are for your treatment.
Adjusting or Re-testing as Your Levels Shift
You will need to have your levels adjusted, and to do this, you will need to submit to additional testing. You can also ask your provider what the costs are for this additional testing during the consultation.
Contact us at Nexel Medical for your initial consultation.